Baron Back In Rush Blue
February 25, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Future AFL Hall-of-Fame defensive lineman James Baron has signed a two-year contract to return to the Chicago Rush, the team announced today. Baron will be available at Chicago's annual Media Day, Tuesday, at its Hoffman Estates practice facility, Grand Sports Arena.
Regarded as perhaps the greatest nose tackle in Arena Football League history, Baron (6-4, 255, Virginia Tech), enters the 2008 season ranked second in AFL history with 46.5 career sacks.
Now in his 12th year in the AFL, Baron has played in 161 games, recording 144.5 tackles along with his 46.5 sacks. He is a two-time AFL Lineman of the Year (1998 and 2001), a former AFL Defensive Player of the Year (1999) and has been voted to the AFL's All-Arena team six times.
"The entire team is excited about James Baron's return to Chicago," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He already is very familiar with our system and, at this point in his career, he is still a very effective player, which should give us a nice lift as we prepare for the opener next Monday."
"Growing up in Hammond, Indiana, I will always consider Chicago my home, and I am excited to come back to familiar territory," said Baron. "I consider the Rush to be the best organization in the league and know that any player who wants to win would be excited about coming here."
Baron began his AFL career in 1997 with the Nashville Kats. After five seasons in Nashville he signed as free agent with the Rush, playing three seasons in Chicago (2002-2004). After the 2004 season, Baron was traded back to Nashville where he played from 2005-2007.
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